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Official newspaper of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Vol 04 issue 08 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA WWW.PARLIAMENT.GOV.ZA #PARLIAMENTOFRSA November 2022 2 INSESSION NEWS NCOP – Taking Parliament to the People of Kwazulu-Natal Editor Brent Simons Production editor Mava Lukani Design and layout Vishaal Lalla Copy editor Jane Henshall Writers Abel Mputing, Jabulani Majozi, Sakhile Mokoena, Mava Lukani Photography Zwelethemba Kostile Distribution & subscriptions Jacqueline Zils Publisher Parliament of the Republic of South Africa Section Manager: Publishing and Production Shirley Montsho Copyright INSESSION is is published by the Information and Content Development Unit of the Parliamentary Communication Services of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.
All material published is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Telephone 021 403 8738 Fax 021 403 8096 E-mail insession@parliament.gov.za Subscriptions jzils@parliament.gov.za Post PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 OUR IDEALS Vision An activist and responsive people’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of South Africans and ensures enduring equality in our society.
• • • • • Strategic Objectives Strengthening oversight and accountability; enhancing public involvement; deepening engagement in international fora; strengthening cooperative government; strengthening legislative capacity.
BOOK A TOUR To tour Parliament Telephone 021 403 2266 Fax 021 403 3817 E-mail tours@parliament.gov.za ACTIVIST PARLIAMENT: NCOP Presiding Officers, Mr Masondo (far left) and Ms Lucas (middle left) welcome people to the opening of the TPTTP programme in KwaZulu-Natal The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) took Parliament to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in Ugu District Municipality.

Ugu District Municipality includes Ray Nkonyeni, uMdoni, uMuziwabantu and uMzumbe local municipalities.
The theme for the week- long programme was “Working together to ensure faster improvement in the delivery of services to communities”, writes Mava Lukani.

Delivering an address to mark the 2002 to facilitate public involvement destroyed people’s lives and damaged opening of the programme, the in legislative and other parliamentary water, roads, electricity and housing Chairperson of the NCOP, Mr Amos processes.

Masondo, said it was fitting that after a infrastructure in KZN.
“These risks, particularly those caused by the effects hiatus of two years due to the Covid-19 KZN has a number of service delivery of climate change, remain with us.” pandemic, Taking Parliament to the challenges and this affected the People was held in KZN, particularly in outcome of the 2021 local government To understand the negative impact of light of the devastation in the province elections.
Other problems relate to the July 2021 unrest to the economy, caused by public violence, destruction developing the province’s large rural Mr Masondo pointed out that in Ugu of property and looting during the community.

July 2021 unrest and the damages alone, which has large tracts of fertile land for agriculture, over 500 000 triggered by the floods earlier this year.
Following a series of engagements tons of sugarcane were destroyed, with its provincial counterparts and which would have been worth millions Mr Masondo mentioned the NCOP’s informed by the desire to facilitate of rands in potential revenue.

The constitutional responsibility to collaboration to improve service Ugu Fresh Produce Market was also represent the interests of the delivery, the NCOP decided that destroyed in the riots, directly affecting provinces.
The NCOP must also the week-long programme had tens of thousands of jobs and many provide for the different categories to be held in KZN’s Ugu District more indirectly.

of municipalities to be represented in Municipality.

The programme focused Parliament.


It must also facilitate co- on water and sanitation, water “We will be failing in our duty if we operation among the different spheres infrastructure development, road do not reiterate the point made by the of government, namely national, provincial and local government.
infrastructure, safety and security, human settlements, agriculture, leaders in the province and nationally during the time of the unrest and local economic development and the afterwards, that we must guard The NCOP has various ways of fulfilling provision of social services.
against destroying the very resources this mandate, one of which is the and the means we need for our own Taking Parliament to the People programme, which was initiated in Mr Masondo noted that the 2021 riots and floods earlier in 2022 livelihoods and development,” said Mr Masondo.
TAKING PARLIAMENT TO THE PEOPLE 3 President Ramaphosa - Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Act will promote service delivery IMPROVING LIVES: President Ramaphosa is welcomed by Chairperson Masondo to deliver his annual address to the TPTTP programme.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP’s) Taking Parliament to the People programme as a key outreach programme.
He was delivering his annual address to the NCOP in KwaZulu- Natal (KZN), where the NCOP recently held the week-long programme in Ugu District Municipality in Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, writes Mava Lukani.

continues to have a Parliament that is activist, responsive and determined to make a difference in the lives of the people.

He pointed out that in many ways, the challenges facing residents in Ugu District Municipality mirror those of many of our municipalities countrywide.
“This year, I have led five presidential izimbizo – in the North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Northern Cape.

The President said twenty-eight years At these izimbizo, challenges at local since the first democratic Parliament government were foremost on the sat in Cape Town, South Africa minds of our citizens,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports from the Auditor- management for all public servants.
General and National Treasury This is going to have a big impact on and State of Local Government how government works at all levels, reports point to inefficiency, he said.

maladministration, lack of financial controls and poor governance in many President Ramaphosa said the municipalities.
All of these affect local government has covered much ground government’s ability to provide the to better the lives of the people, basic services people need to lead lives however there is so much more it of quality and dignity.

needs to do to ensure that the promise of the Constitution is fulfilled.

When The new Local Government: Municipal concluded.
Systems Amendment Act is an important tool that will improve the The NCOP’s Taking Parliament to the manner in which municipalities People programme in KZN focused function and are held accountability on water shortages, roads, social and must be welcomed.

Among services, education, housing and crime, other things, President Ramaphosa among other things.
At public hearings said the Act disallows municipal that formed part of the programme, officials from holding political office, Minister Senzo Mchunu responded to defines competency criteria for the questions posed by the community appointment of municipal managers on water and sanitation service, while and strengthens the framework for ministers Joe Phaahla and Lindiwe performance evaluation.

Zulu responded to questions on social This should be viewed alongside the services.
Framework for the Professionalisation Meanwhile, Minister Mmamoloko of the Public Sector, which was Kubayi-Ngubane answered questions adopted by Cabinet last month, the on housing, Minister Dr Aaron President explained.

This makes Motsoaledi responded to questions on specific proposals to ensure merit- Home Affairs and Minister Bheki Cele based recruitment and promotion and more effective consequence fielded questions on crime.

in the entire provincial administration and in municipalities.
“The purpose of the skills audit is to assess the level and relevance of skills possessed by public servants against the service delivery imperatives.

We are proud that the skills audit in all municipalities has been finalised, and this has provided valuable information on the state of human capacity and capabilities at a local government level,” she said.

Ms Dube-Ncube said achieving a capable developmental state requires collaboration between all sections of society.
KwaZulu-Natal has therefore signed a number of cooperation agreements with institutions of higher learning in the province with the aim of working together to achieve this goal.

“We want to influence the curriculum so that it responds to the economic and service delivery needs of the province.

Earlier this year, we signed a memorandum of agreement with the National School of Government to work together in capacitating public servants,” the Premier said.
She also believes that an agile state must have capable individuals who are not only skilled and technically adept, but who have the commitment, orientation and empathy to become servants of the people.

“A developmental state, no matter how agile and responsive, is not sustainable unless it is led by leaders of high moral ethics who, by force of their example, cultivate a culture of selflessness, dedication and servant leadership as the core of the public service.
In everything we do in this province, the National Development Plan serves as our compass that is daily guiding us to a more prosperous future,” Ms Dube-Ncube said.
4 INSESSION NEWS Ms Nomusa Dube-Ntsube – KZN Premier Provinces support building a responsive and developmental South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to mark the closing of the Taking Parliament to the People programme in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was followed by a debate that included NCOP delegates as well as the premiers of Gauteng, Free State and KZN, who are special delegates to the NCOP.
The theme of the debate was “Building agile state capabilities to improve service delivery outcomes”.

provide training The province has also passed and development the Gauteng Township Economic to improve public Development Act, legislation that service and the directs government and its agencies delivery of services to only buy goods and services in in the province.

townships, informal settlements and hostels, in order empower ordinary Her Gauteng people.
counterpart, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, “We are putting aside an amount of said the theme R650 million to reclaim all our spaza for the debate shops from foreigners, so that all these emphasises the spaza shops can be owned by South imperative to build Africans.
We are further allocating a “capable, ethical almost R150 million to train young and developmental business people in the creative world state as a so that they can develop software Ms Sisis Ntombela – Premier of Free State Province During the debate the premiers gave prerequisite to bringing about the and start to work with motor vehicles examples of what their provinces meaningful change which was fought or scooters and deliver goods to our are doing to contribute to South for by many people in this province”.
houses without depending on foreign Africa’s economic development.

Ms citizens,” the Gauteng Premier said.

Sisi Ntombela, the Premier of Free Mr Lesufi also shared that his province State said South Africa’s growth and has embarked on a developmental The KZN Premier, Ms development objectives depend on building an agile state capable of vision called “Growing Gauteng Together 2030”, which he said was Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said her province, improving service delivery.
This is a collective vision to ensure that all like the Free State, as much about building an effective municipalities in the province are acknowledges that the government as it is about building a aligned to the National Development public service cannot social contract with the people.

“Agile Plan (NDP) and that the government to deliver high quality state capabilities are equally about responds to the aspirations and needs services to citizens if connecting various efforts to respond of our people.
“It is a transformation they do not possess to the people’s dreams of a better life and, indeed, that’s what we are trying agenda intended to accelerate the fight against poverty, inequality and appropriate skills and competencies.

“In to do.” unemployment.

It is an agenda that order to move towards is both guided and shaped by the building a capable state, The Free State Premier said her prescripts of a developmental state,” the provincial executive province has partnered with the he said.
council resolved that a National School of Government to skills audit be conducted Mr Panyaza Lesufi – Premier Gauteng Province MEN’S PARLIAMENT 5 where our women and children will be safe,” Mr Mathale said.

The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffery, said one of the reasons for the high levels of GBV is that men do not respect the rights of women and girls.

“We have to change the way we treat our women in society and the way we socialise our boy children.
We, as men, are the problem, so we have to be part of the solution,” said Mr Jeffery.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, said her department has partnered with the House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders to tackle ukuthwala and other related practices, which disguise patriarchy under the cloak of culture and tradition.

The Department of Basic Education was represented by the Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule, who warned against neglecting the boy child and focusing on girls and women.
“We need to try balance and treat the boys and girls equally.

When we come up with programmes for adolescents aimed at girls, we must do the same for the boys, so they don’t feel neglected and become miserable,” the Deputy Minister said.

These sentiments were echoed by SANAC CEO Dr Thembisile Xulu.

“Over the years the focus has been mainly on women and girls, thus unintentionally leaving men and boys in the periphery of the response to the problem of GBV.
The one-sided focus on women and girls has contributed to the lack of progress in striking a balance.

You can’t empower one and disempower the other,” said Dr Xulu.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Men’s Parliament to continue fighting for equal treatment of boys and girls This year Men’s Parliament, a collaboration between the legislative sector and the South African men’s sector, the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) and several non-governmental organisation, resolved to intensify the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) as well as the unequal socialisation of young boys and girls.
Sakhile Mokoena reports from the event.

This year’s event, which was presided over by the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Sylvia Lucas, committed to spread its focus areas to include issues related to men’s health and harmful cultural practices.

Ministers, deputy ministers, provincial representatives of the men’s sector, traditional leaders and representatives of civil society all took part in the two-day event.
Speaking on the National Integrated Health Strategy, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, urged men to resist social and cultural “A variety of legislation and regulatory taboos that make men reluctant to initiatives have been ineffective.

discuss their health.

“Most males relate More needs to be done.

Crime and sickness with weakness and therefore criminality cannot be eradicated tend not to seek help.

Males are not a without the involvement of all sectors.
help-seeking-behaviour type of species We need to work together in ensuring .

.

.

there are many issues that make a stable and crime-free environment men reluctant to seek help and we need to break those barriers,” said Dr Dhlomo.

His counterpart in the Ministry of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, spoke against some of the oppressive practices disguised as culture and tradition, such as “ukuthwala” or forced and child marriages.
The Deputy Minister said government, civil society, the private sector and the community must work hard to eradicate the root causes of crime, especially gender-based violence and femicide.
6 INSESSION NEWS Gender-based Violence undermines efforts to build an equal and united South Africa The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, has warned that high levels of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) are undermining South Africa’s efforts to build a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united society, writes Sakhile Mokoena.

Delivering the keynote address on the on-child rape.
Women, children and last day of this year’s Men’s Parliament LGBTQIA+ persons are being abused, in the National Council of Provinces assaulted and murdered in our country chamber, the Minister said the call for every day at the hands of men,” said a violence-free South Africa must be Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.

met with an urgent response from all of society, including men and boys.
She commended the Men’s Parliament “The scourge of gender-based violence initiative and said conversations and femicide continues to undermine about preventing GBVF are the start our efforts of building a democratic, of accepting responsibility.

Men must non-racial, non-sexist and united South take action to change perceptions Africa.

We must strengthen, accelerate of masculinity from toxic to positive.
Lucas – ‘the war against GBVF cannot be won without the active involvement of men’ The National Council of Provinces hosted the national Men’s Parliament on the theme “Takuwani Riime!

Institutionalising a Responsive Men’s Movement.” This meeting shines a light on the interventions that men can implement to combat gender-based-violence and femicide (GBVF) and promote men’s mental health related to the cultural practice of circumcision, writes Abel Mputing.
and amplify a responsive men and “We have to begin by addressing the In her opening remarks, the Deputy government, traditional authorities, boy’s movement to fully eradicate the normalisation of patriarchal norms, Chairperson of the National Council of parents and medical institutions to scourge,” the Minister said.
challenging the reinforcement of Provinces, Ms Sylvia Lucas, asserted make the practice of circumcision a social and gender norms, defining that the war against GBVF cannot be communal responsibility.

The theme of this year’s Men’s and promoting healthy expressions won without the active involvement Parliament was “Takuwani Riime: of masculinity and femininity, and of men.
“GBVF has been acutely The Chairperson of the CRL Rights Institutionalising a responsive having a zero tolerance approach to normalised through tradition and Commission, Prof Luka Mosoma, men’s movement”.

The Minister homophobic and believes initiatives such as this have transphobic sentiments.

an important role in taking the customs that perpetuate patriarchy,” agreed that circumcision must be she pointed out.
She was hopeful that based on protecting initiates’ dignity this Parliament will assist in rebuilding and right to life.

As much as this conversation on GBVF to spaces where “Equally, we cannot ignore how toxic men’s social fabric and enlist them practice is revered in our Africa the topic is still ignored or avoided.
masculinity is a driver in incidents to become the custodians of moral tradition, “the loss of boys’ lives is “While it remains true that men are of violence committed by men leadership to shift our society what attracts negative criticism against the main perpetrators of gender-based against other men.

We can no longer towards healing.


violence and femicide, we are also pretend that toxic masculinity is not this practice as barbaric and backward, as nothing more than an instrument of witnessing a concerning trend of boys a threat to all of our livelihoods,” The Deputy Chairperson of the National death, rather than the humanisation of leading GBV-related crimes, such the Minister said.

She said the Men’s House of Traditional Leaders, iNkosi boys through this rite of passage.” as rape.
Parliament must be supported, as it is Langa Mavuso, mourned the deaths “In addition, we are also witnessing connectedness, provide spaces for by initiates during their initiation.

Initiation Act will give us tangible an opportunity to build greater social and loss of manhood experienced He was hopeful that the Customary a rise in child-on-child violence, including bullying, fights and murders in schools, cyber-bullying and child- healing and support healthy forms of masculinity.
He appealed for a collaborative engagement between the guidelines and directives to curb the onslaught of death of initiates.

BUDGET SPEECH 7 Minister allocates R13 billion in spending adjustments for 2022/23 in Adjustments Appropriations Bill Minister Gondongwana told Members of the National Assembly (NA) when he presented the MTBPS that the National Treasury is allocating R13 billion in spending adjustments for the 2022/23 financial year in the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, writes Mava Lukani.
start of the Home Affairs digitisation of the 2022/23 public service wage project, which will employ 10 000 increases, as well as for safety and young people over three years.

security, infrastructure investment and service delivery.

Minister Gondongwana also said that the budget over the next three years Overall, consolidated government is focused on restoring service delivery spending is projected to increase from and laying the foundation for higher R2.21 trillion in 2022/23 to R2.48 growth.
Medium-term changes to trillion in 2025/26, at an average spending plans are driven mainly by growth rate of four per cent.
The social the government’s decision to extend wage, which supports poor households the special Covid-19 Social Relief of and the most vulnerable in society, Distress grant by one year, until takes up the biggest share of the Speaking on the perennial problem of GBVF, the youth secretary of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Prince Itumeleng Shole, claimed that the oppression of women is non-African.
“As Africans, we respect queens, for they are the ones who run African monarchies, as much as mothers run African households.” He blamed colonialism and apartheid for alienating men from their communal responsibilities rooted in African traditions and customs.
“This session must define what is expected of men, how are expected to conduct themselves and to re-embrace our African traditions and customs.” The eradication of poverty in rural areas could play a role in empowering women and in curbing gender-based R118 million is allocated to deal with 31 March 2024. violence, said Mr Karabo Dube, of the interim relocation costs and to prepare budget.

It will total R3.56 trillion over the next three years, or 59.2 per cent Mosiamise Rural Development.
“The for the rebuilding of Parliament.

“We The Social Relief of Distress grant, of the consolidated silence of the developmental voice of are working closely with the Presiding introduced in May 2020 as a temporary non-interest spending.

rural women is deafening.

That is why Officers of Parliament to restore and measure to respond to the needs of we intend to create an investment rebuild our Parliament.
Over the the most vulnerable during Covid- Meanwhile, other large allocations are pipeline to attract investment to rural medium term expenditure framework, 19-related lockdown measures, has directed to the education, health and areas to empower women.” we have made allowance for been extended several times since social development sectors.

Moreover, approximately R2 billion for rebuilding then.
Discussions on the future of spending increases over the next three The pressure on men to be bread our Parliament,” said the grant are on-going, the Minister years will be prioritised to improve winners and provide for their Minister Godongwana.

said, and involve difficult trade-offs investment in infrastructure and boost households is a heavy burden, said the and financing decisions.
“Despite the budgets for safety, security and executive director of the Networking The largest adjustment – R6.3 billion, the provision made in this budget, I fighting corruption.

HIV/Aids Community of Southern or 49 per cent of the total – is allocated want to reiterate that any permanent Africa, Mr Mohamed Motala.
When towards disaster relief, particularly the extension or replacement will require Minister Godongwana told Members they cannot meet this expectation, April flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern permanent increases in revenue, of the NA that, overall, government’s they feel inadequate but this is not an Cape and in the North West.

Other reductions in spending elsewhere, or a consolidated capital spending will easy thing to talk about.
“But through adjustments include R389 million for combination of the two,” he said.

increase from R95.1 billion in 2022/23 our programmes we are poised to change this attitude to make South Africa safe for women,” he said.

24 bridges in rural areas through the Welisizwe Rural Bridges programme, while R500 million is set aside for the The fiscal framework also includes funding for the carry-through costs to R145.4 billion in 2025/26.

This excludes spending on state-owned enterprises.


8 INSESSION NEWS 3% Economic growth not enough to reach development goals Cape Town City Hall “This means that the global stable macroeconomic framework, recently, the Minister environment will be less supportive complemented by the implementation also announced of our growth than we anticipated at of structural reforms to improve that the country the time of the Budget.
The outlook competitiveness, industrial policy to was expecting gross contains many risks, notably further boost manufacturing and measures to domestic product slowing global growth and higher strengthen the capacity of the state.

growth of 1.9 per cent inflation if the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, compared escalates.
And there is a possibility of Meanwhile and since the Budget in with growth of 2.1 energy rationing in Europe that will February, government has accelerated per cent, which was impact on global energy prices and the implementation of structural predicted in February.

output,” said the Minister.

reforms to address constraints on The low levels of economic growth, support investment growth reflect the The Minister also highlighted that a and stimulate job creation.
“The stormy global and further decline in Chinese economic intensity of load shedding is having domestic economic growth could slow global demand and a disastrous effect on our economy.

environment.

add pressure to global supply chains, We have therefore focused our efforts The Minister said that policy could slow global output even Several policy and regulatory changes while the tightening of monetary on reforms in the electricity sector.

many of the risks further.


that he outlined in aimed at creating a competitive energy market are underway.

These include the February 2022 “These are significant risks in the the removal of the licensing threshold Budget Speech global environment.

In this context, for embedded generation projects, have materialised.
small open economies like ours need where the pipeline has grown to 100 Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana says South Africa’s expected 1.6 per cent economic growth over the next three years is inadequate to support the country’s developmental goals, writes Sakhile Mokoena.
Tabling the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in a sitting of the National Assembly at the These include rising global inflation, to be especially careful and have solid projects, representing over 9 000 MW tightening financial conditions and the fiscal buffers in place to weather the of capacity,” the Minister said.

ongoing effect of Covid-19, including coming storm.
Domestically, the robust stringent lockdowns in China and their pace of economic recovery in early He also announced that the Electricity impact on global demand and supply 2022 was derailed by floods in various Regulation Amendment Bill has been chains.

These were exacerbated by the parts of the country, particularly finalised.

This Bill seeks to provide for outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, the establishment of an independent industrial action in key sectors, and transmission and system operator, As a result, he said, the International widespread power cuts,” he said.

which will fundamentally transform Monetary Fund’s global growth the electricity sector.
It will reduce forecast for 2022 has been revised Minister Godongwana also called South Africa’s reliance on a single down, from 4.4 to 3.2 per cent, and for action to put the economy on utility and unlock massive new private the 2023 estimate from 3.8 to a higher growth trajectory.

He investment in generation capacity.

This 2.7 per cent.

said government’s approach to will contribute significantly to long- growth was based on a clear and term energy security.
BUDGET SPEECH 9 Godongwana allocates over R100 billion to build and rehabilitate infrastructure Government spending on building new and rehabilitating existing infrastructure will increase from R66.7 billion in 2022/23 to R1 120 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, writes Sakhile Mokoena.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, in his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) which he delivered recently.
billion in 2022/23 to R112.5 billion in maintaining an enabling environment 2025/26.

This include roads, bridges, for growth and investment.

This is storm-water systems and public because such an environment provides buildings,” he said.

basic services and promotes the rule of law.


To do this effectively, the state By delivering on public sector needs to be responsive to societal investments, government will needs and prioritise, sequence and facilitate private investment, improve coordinate interventions through public service provision and address institutions that are accountable to invest.

backlogs.

This will ignite a virtuous and capable.

cycle of higher investment, growth and employment potential.
“We are also Leveraging fixed investments is a committed to improving state capacity, critical part of achieving sustainable project planning and preparation, and inclusive growth.

“It supports procurement practices and contract economic recovery, raises the management.

This will address economic potential and creates jobs.
chronic underspending of allocated infrastructure budgets, improve We have seen gross fixed capital formation contract on average by 4.4 value for money and efficacy of our per cent annually between 2016 and “Over the medium term, government investments,” the Minister said.

2020; from a peak of R796 billion in consolidated spending on building 2015.

The contraction has been broad- new and rehabilitating existing He believes that the state is based.
Private sector investment, infrastructure will increase from R66.7 responsible for creating and which accounts for nearly two-thirds of he said.

total fixed investment, as well as the public sector, have both declined.

“We seek to reverse these trends by tackling impediments to investment.

In the private sector, policy uncertainty, constraints to the ease of doing business, along with the high cost of doing business are often cited as key constraints to investment,” said the Minister.
According to Mr Godongwana, South Africa’s clear and stable macroeconomic framework, progress on structural reform and supporting enablers to growth will go a long way to removing impediments to investment.

This will also boost confidence and create an enabling environment for the private sector “With respect to public sector investments, state-owned enterprises have an important role to play in the provision of critical economic goods and services in the economy.
“Addressing supply side constraints, particularly in the energy and transport sectors, is critical to support higher and sustainable economic growth.

On general government, we are increasing on-budget infrastructure allocations to remedy the erosion of baselines,” of responsibility.

National government proposes to make an initial allocation of R23.7 billion from the national fiscus, which will be disbursed on strict conditions.
Turning to Eskom, Minister Godongwana said for at least a decade, the government has spent billions of rands supporting Eskom, with limited improvements in the reliability of the electricity supply or its financial health.

To ensure Eskom’s long-term financial viability, the government will take over a significant portion of the utility’s R400 billion debt.
While the selection of the relevant debt instruments and the method of effecting the relief is still to be determined, the quantum is expected to be between one-third and two-thirds of Eskom’s current debt.

Once the debt has been taken over and other reforms completed, Eskom will become more financially sustainable.

Minister Godongwana said the programme will allow Eskom to focus on plant performance and capital investment and ensure that it no longer relies on government bailouts.
Importantly, the programme will demand that strict conditions are met by Eskom and other stakeholders before and during the debt transfer.

These conditions will address Eskom’s structural challenges by managing its costs, addressing municipal and household arrears due to the utility, and providing greater clarity and transparency in tariff pricing.

In addition, the conditions will be informed by a Treasury-led independent review of Eskom’s operations, in particular the performance of its generation fleet.
Further details of the programme will be finalised following consultations with all relevant stakeholders and lenders, and will be announced in the 2023 Budget.

10 INSESSION NEWS State-owned enterprises must be self-sufficient and contribute towards building the economy Minister Godongwana told Members of the National Assembly that some of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are critical centres of economic activity, especially in the transport, engineering and energy sectors, writes Jabulani Majozi.
However, it is important that they Transnet is allocated R2.9 billion to The Gauteng government will also are self-sufficient and contribute to ensure the return of out-of-service cover the costs of maintaining the economic growth.

Unfortunately, many locomotives.

That allocation will be 201 kilometres and associated of them remain financially weak, due complemented by R2.9 billion from interchanges of the roads.

Any to bad leadership and corruption.


This in-year spending adjustments to deal additional investment in the road will must be resolved.

Nonetheless, the with flood damage that affected its be funded through either the existing government’s financial support to SOEs operations in Ethekwini.

electronic toll infrastructure or new toll recognises their potential to contribute plazas, or any other revenue source to the long-run growth prospects.
Denel is allocated R3.4 billion to within provincial government’s area support recent progress made to A Special Appropriation Bill will be stabilise the entity.

This allocation will tabled to provide additional funding be augmented by R1.8 billion in the Denel, Transnet and the South African sale of non-core assets and will unlock National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

These allocations will enable them a committed order book of R12 billion awaiting execution.
to adjust their business models and restore their long-term financial Uncertainty surrounding the Gauteng viability.

Fiscal support to SOEs remains Freeway Improvement Project a challenging balancing act, given continues to have a major negative the many competing priorities and implication for road construction in limited resources.

“Funding to SOEs South Africa.

To resolve this funding will now come with strict pre- and impasse, Minister Godongwana said post-conditions.
Pre-conditions mean the Gauteng provincial government that SOEs will need to comply with has agreed to contribute 30 per cent these conditions before they receive to settling SANRAL’s debt and interest government support, not after,” he obligations, while national government added.

covers 70 per cent.
covers 70 per cent.

BUDGET SPEECH 11 Government procurement processes will be strengthened, Finance Minister says NCOP zooms in on challenges to unlock township economy Minister Enoch Godongwana assured the National Assembly during the presentation of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement that the government is working to modernise procurement and financial accountability systems.
It is doing this by adopting best practice in procurement of goods and services, and ensuring high standards of transparency in the tendering processes, writes Jabulani Majozi.

of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act.
On fighting crime and corruption, Mr Godongwana reminded the Members of the National Assembly that President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the government’s response to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, in which he noted the need for the state to be ethical and free of corruption, as it serves the needs and interests of the people.

The government is committed to a new chapter in fighting corruption and advancing South Africa’s renewal.
The role the legislative framework, foreign nationals and big retailers play in the township economy came under scrutiny in a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) virtual ministerial briefing debate recently, writes Sibongile Maputi.

The theme for the debate was “Measures to unlock the full potential of the township economy and industries”.
As noted by the Commission of NCOP M, Mr Mandla Rayi pointed out Inquiry, service delivery requires that when large retailers establish This modernisation programme that honest accounting officers and themselves in townships results the will simplify and speed up public authorities who make decisions in competition destroys small businesses.

infrastructure projects and limit the good faith are protected from criminal Then MP Ms Nokuzola Ndongeni scope for looting and corruption.
prosecution and civil litigation.

In that asked how the department plans to National Treasury envisages two regard, he said the government will reverse the trend of small businesses changes to procurement governance.

strengthen auditing and preventative being taken over by foreign nationals.
Firstly, the introduction of the Public control systems, to enable managers “How will the department ensure Procurement Bill, which will enhance to manage, while putting in place that young South Africans reclaim transparency and integrity, and mechanisms to hold them accountable.

this space, and participate in the by foreigners.
“Foreigners have identified a gap in the market and are filling that, often providing close access to goods that residents would have to travel quite a distance incur considerable costs.” “What has the department done with Home Affairs to ensure that legal foreigners are protected from being targeted and to ensure that the skills set and market access they have are also available to deserving South Africans to compete fairly to customers,” added Mr Brauteseth.
Members asked other questions about enterprise development and finance programmes, women-owned start- ups, regulatory impact assessments and by-laws.

NCOP MP Ms Delmaine Christians urged the government to not only target a privileged few well- connected individuals, but focus rather on those in need.
“What checks and balances have been put in place that will discourage double dipping, and ensure that family and friends of the connected few do not benefit, she secondly, technology will be used to social services sectors, like beauty wanted to know.

improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Minister Godongwana said crime is a salons, fast food outlets, and spaza safety, economic and social issue.
“A shops and take full ownership of the In addition, new Preferential safe environment is important for full township economy?” She asked if Procurement Regulations will replace participation in economic and social the department was engaging with the now invalid regulations of 2017. life.
This makes fighting crime a key financial institutions with the intention These new regulations will be pillar of enhancing economic growth.” to lower borrowing costs and ensure promulgated in November 2022 and To this end, National Treasure will that township businesses are able to become effective from 16 January allocate additional resources to the access affordable capital.

2023.

The regulations will empower security forces.


“We will support the organs of state with the authority to determine their own preferential procurement policies within the ambit police to recruit an additional 15 000 constables over the next three years,” he said.

Another MP, Mr Tim Brauteseth said it did not matter where one was in South Africa, spaza shops are owned Another NCOP MP Sonja Boshoff urged the government to cut red tape to ensure a more robust small business sector.
This will dramatically increase employment, she said.

MPs also heard that the government is planning a review of the legislation regulating businesses to make it easier to start a business.
12 INSESSION NEWS Unstable coalitions under scrutiny in National Assembly do more by transferring the service parties put their political interest delivery needs of the people into one first before of the electorate.” He strategic political plan.” She asserted went further to state that selfishness, that the Department of Cooperative greed and corruption are a feature Governance and Traditional Affairs of coalitions.
“Some political parties should come up with standardised get into coalitions because they want framework of best practices for this to access to resources.

Hence, they often be achieved.

dictate who should be a municipal manager, who should be its chief We should be wary of collusions financial officer.

And when they don’t formed in the pretext of coalitions, get tenders, such coalitions often warned Dr Petrus Mulder of the collapse.

Unsustainable.” Freedom Front Plus.


However, he mentioned studies which showed that The Deputy Minister of Cooperative for coalitions to survive, “The biggest Governance and Traditional Affairs, party in a coalition should be the Ms Thembi Nkadimeng, stated that humblest, because despite its number the department is looking at a legally of votes, there is nothing it can do to binding framework to guide coalitions form government without the parties in practice.
According to her, a study on with small numbers.

He further added: 42 western democracies showed that “Coalitions agreement in municipalities the sustainability of coalitions is based should be negotiated and managed on the reduction of policy changes.

locally, not by national politicians.” “Adhering to longitudinal policies would avoid disruption.” concept of coalitions and we have learnt that they can work if political parties can put their egos aside and use coalitions to promote service delivery.
Coalitions are here to stay and Coalitions are a representation of can be effective if they are not based on patronage,” she emphasised.

people’s tiredness “with corruption, She was of the view that the cadre deployment, ineffective financial Amendment of Municipal Structure management of state resources, lack Act would deal with some of the The days of single majority party are gone, maintained Ms Sbuyiselwe Buthelezi for the Inkatha Freedom Party.
We are in an era of coalition transparency and service delivery,” shortcomings experienced in coalition said Mr Wayne Thring (African Christian governments recently.

One of which Democratic Party).

When managed is the motion of no confidence, the well, coalitions can bring about formula used to allocate council seats.

government.
government.

“It’s upon us to see how open, transparent governance, sound And to ensure that where there are quickly we adapt to this new era.” There’s a misplaced perception that coalitions are a sign of a political weakness.

If they can be harnessed effectively, they can improve service delivery, she said.

“Our research in Germany shows that coalitions can financial management and service governance disputes, a majority delivery, he said.
party would be allowed to make a determination on, for example, the The question to be asked is are we passing or appropriation of a budget ready for coalitions; the answer is so that service delivery imperatives no, claimed Mr Ahmed Shaik-Emam wouldn’t be compromised by perpetual (National Freedom Party).

“Political disagreement of coalition partners.


During a mini-debate on unstable political coalitions in the National Assembly recently, the African National Congress’s Ms Dikeledi Direko wondered about the effect such alliances have on service delivery and good governance, writes Abel Mputing.

In her view, unstable coalitions often claim to serve the interests of the people, but they often collapse and are alliances between political parties that do not share interests or ideologies.
This is the case because, “currently there are no guidelines for coalitions and no regulatory framework that governs them.” A Democratic Alliance MP, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, pointed out that coalition governments should be based on sustainable values and the goals of the political parties that form them.

To this effect, the DA has proposed legislation to stabilise coalitions.
“This legislation will insulate people from the whims of politicians and will ensure that coalitions are codified and are managed by an independent arbiter.” Coalitions are a sign of a maturing democracy, said Ms Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
“We went to Denmark recently to conduct research on the House chair urges Cop27 Summit to coordinate action to minimise effects of climate change COP27 13 Parliament commemorates 16 Days of Activism: the rights of women & children are fundamental human rights protected by our Constitution The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Amos Masondo, join South Africans and the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV).
Every year, from 25 November to 10 December, South Africans observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

This well-known campaign was launched by activists at the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.

The campaign focuses on raising public awareness about the damaging effects violence and abuse have on women and children and the social fabric of our society.

It ought to be supported fully by all South Africans.
Manyeleti is primarily a sandveld environment, distinguished by its central African vegetation, large alluvial flood plains and probably more animal and plant species diversity than anywhere else in the KNP.

Mr Frolick explained that there is no better way to manage this sandveld environment than through biodiversity conservation.

When compared to other land use types, this method has significant climate mitigation and adaptation potential and also has the potential to halt land degradation.
Mr Frolick also explained how the Nama community that inhabits the Ritchersveld National Park in the Northern Cape province, bordering South Africa and Namibia, rebuffed big mining corporations that wanted to mine the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage site buffer zone.

The local community manages the park in conjunction with South African National Parks (SANParks).
Diamond mining companies wanted to mine this area on the South African side, but the owners of the land committed their land to biodiversity conservation and, in so doing, prevented land He explained how South Africa’s intervention through the Strategic Framework and Overarching Implementation Plan for Ecosystem- degradation and mitigated based Adaptation promotes climate change.
conservation whilst alleviating poverty The National Assembly House Chairperson responsible for committees, Mr Cedric Frolick, urged delegates at the Globe Conference of Parties (COP) 27 summit to interrogate the various implementation models their countries use to implement the Rio Conventions to ensure they are properly coordinated to mitigate the risks posed by climate change.

Mr Frolick led a South African delegation to the COP27 summit, which took place in Sharma El-Sheik in Egypt recently.
Mr Frolick addressed the summit on the topic of successful drylands governance, where he shared best practices from South Africa on benefit-sharing and inclusive governance.

through programmes such as Working Mr Frolick urged his fellow legislators The rights of women and children are for Water, Working on Fire, Working on to consider nature-based tourism as a fundamental human rights protected Land and others.
These programmes integrate the implementation of the three Rio Conventions while uplifting communities.

non-consumptive way of using natural resources to benefit rural people.

He added that nature-based tourism also removes incentives for using marginal Mr Frolick emphasised how South Africa has started to adjust how it land for agriculture and livestock production.

by our Constitution.


GBV and violence against children, in all their different forms, devalue human dignity and the self-worth of the abused person/s and must be rooted out of our communities.

The 16 Days of Activism against GBV can only succeed if we stand together to does things to adapt to the realities of The Globe COP27 Legislators Summit safeguard our society against this abuse.

living in an arid environment.


He drew focused on climate-change adaptation, examples from the Manyeleti Game Reserve, a community-owned and mitigation, loss, damage and finance.

Loss and damage disproportionally managed protected area in the Greater affects vulnerable populations, Violence against women and children remains the most pervasive human rights violation in our country.
As South Africa slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of GBV are rising who are usually the people on the frontlines of the climate crisis, who have the least resources and who have further, intersecting with crises of contributed the least to the problem.

One of COP 27’s successes hinged on mobilising finance for the losses and damages incurred by these people.

unemployment and economic instability.


Parliament will ensure that progressive legislation is in place so that there is no impunity for perpetrators of domestic violence.

Kruger National Park (KNP).

The community successfully laid claim to a part of KNP land, which is now known as Makuleke Concession, managed as part of KNP.
14 INSESSION NEWS Nationwide Public Hearings on Railway Safety Bill starts in the North West Parliament’s passing of the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill; the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill; and the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill has strengthened South Africa’s response to gender-based violence and femicide.
Parliament also welcomes the President’s approval of the amendments to these Bills in January, as this further protects GBV survivors and makes it harder for perpetrators to escape justice.

These amendments add additional regulation of sentences for offences committed against vulnerable people.

The Domestic Violence Amendment Bill amends the Domestic Violence Act to address practical challenges, gaps and anomalies that manifested since the Act came into effect in December 1999.
The amended legislation includes new definitions for “controlling” and “coercive” behaviour, for example, and expands the existing definition of domestic violence to include spiritual abuse, elder abuse, and/or exposing/ subjecting children to certain listed behaviours.

It also introduces online applications for protection orders against acts of domestic violence and imposes obligations on the departments of Health and Social Development to provide certain services to domestic violence survivors.
Parliament calls on all South Africans to help put an end to the abuse of women and children.

Parliament’s Presiding Officers urge all citizens to act, to empower survivors, and to reduce and prevent GBV.

Such abuse does not well- represent our ethos as a nation, built on the values of ubuntu.

South Africans The Portfolio Committee on Transport is conducting public hearings on the Railway Safety Bill [B 7-2021] to give citizens an opportunity to express their views on the Bill.
The committee started the hearings in the North West Province.

Parliament is obliged to undertake as part of its decision-making processes.

The hearings comply with Section 59 (1) of the Constitution, which urges public involvement in Parliament’s legislative-making processes.

The committee is hopeful that, as the primary beneficiaries of the protections proposed by the Bill, participants present qualitative inputs aimed at improving the Bill, ensuring safe railway operations.
must support this campaign and charge The hearings form part of a public The Bill aims to amend the National men to fulfil their responsibilities towards participation process that aims to Railway Safety Regulator Act 16 of their families and their loved ones.
The 16 Days of Activism against gender- embed community participation in law-making process to ensure that 2002 by facilitating an improvement in general safety within the railway based violence must not end after 16 the legislation passed by Parliament environment.

This will ensure that days.

It is an everyday reality that needs takes into consideration the lived rail becomes an attractive mode of to be tackled head-on.

South Africans experiences of the people.


transport and contributes towards must mobilise all the men and women in their communities to take a stand to report and stop the abuse.

Public consultation and participation is a constitutional requirement that economic growth.

This will provide a platform to effectively fight inequality, poverty and unemployment.
In an effort to align legislation with the White Paper on National Rail Policy and government’s plan to move passengers and freight from road to rail, the Bill proposes and promotes the use of rail as an efficient mode of transport.

Also, the Bill aims to facilitate a modern, flexible and efficient regulatory regime that ensures the continuing enhancement of safe railway operations across the country.
The amendment was also necessitated by the drive to harmonise the railway safety regime, both within the country and also with requirements for safe railway operations within the Southern African Development Community.

The Bill will also harmonise the railway safety regime by preventing the proliferation of laws, policies and approaches to the execution of such laws and policies from materially prejudicing the beneficiaries of railway safety.
Ultimately, the passing of the Bill will ensure the well-being of the people of South Africa by providing effective, transparent, accountable and coherent governance of railway safety.

In each province, the committee selects two districts in which to hold public hearings.

In the North West, it held hearings in Klerksdorp and Rustenburg.

The committee invited interested individuals and organisations to come and share their views on the Bill with the committee.